The much-anticipated clash between India and Pakistan during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to take place on February 23, 2025. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has clarified the match details, resolving the earlier impasse between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Key details about the India vs Pakistan match:

• Tournament start date: The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 begins on February 19, 2025.
• Venue: The India vs Pakistan match is expected to be held in Sri Lanka or the UAE, with the UAE being a strong contender to host this game and other India matches.
• Match timing: If hosted in Sri Lanka, the match is likely to start at 1:30 PM IST, while in the UAE, the start time might be 2:30 PM IST.
• TV Broadcast: Star Sports, the official broadcaster of ICC tournaments in India, will telecast the match on channels like Star Sports 1 HD/SD, Star Sports 2 HD/SD, and Star Sports 3 with English commentary.
• Live streaming: Disney+ Hotstar will provide live streaming of the match, offering commentary in multiple languages.

Meanwhile, India is also expected to face Pakistan during the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, likely in Sri Lanka, which will co-host the event with India. Fans eagerly await these marquee matches between the arch-rivals in global tournaments.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi is expected to meet BCCI Secretary and future ICC Chairman Jay Shah soon to discuss key aspects of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will be hosted by Pakistan. A significant topic of the meeting will be India’s participation, as the team has not yet confirmed whether they will travel to Pakistan for the event.

When Will the Meeting Take Place?

The meeting between Naqvi and Shah is scheduled to take place during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 finals on October 20. The two are expected to discuss India’s involvement in the tournament, as it would be the first time since 2008 that India would potentially travel to Pakistan. While Pakistan has recently traveled to India for the ODI World Cup 2023, the last time India visited Pakistan was over a decade ago. During the Asia Cup 2023, which Pakistan hosted, the BCCI had declined to send Indian cricketers, highlighting the complex relationship between the two cricket boards.

Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule and Arrangements

The ICC has reviewed and approved arrangements at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Gadaffi Stadium, and National Stadium for the tournament. The PCB is now eagerly awaiting the final approval of the tournament schedule, which is expected to be held from February to March 2025. In talks with ICC officials, the PCB has emphasized the importance of timely finalization to ensure smooth logistical planning for the event.

With this upcoming meeting, all eyes are on how the discussions will shape India’s potential participation in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

Alex Carey’s impressive return to Australia’s ODI side has left selectors facing a dilemma ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy. Carey, who was recalled after Josh Inglis sustained a quad injury, has made the most of his opportunity, delivering back-to-back crucial innings of 74 and 77 not out. His performances helped Australia post competitive totals in challenging situations during matches against England.

Coach and selector Andrew McDonald acknowledged the “good problem” this has created for the team, as Carey’s form now puts pressure on Inglis, who was Australia’s first-choice wicketkeeper before his injury. Inglis is expected to recover soon, but whether he reclaims his spot remains uncertain.

“It’s always a good problem to have when you’ve got players competing for spots,” McDonald said, noting the possibility of both Carey and Inglis playing together, as they have done in the past, with Inglis playing as a specialist batter.

The selection debate is further complicated by the form of Aaron Hardie, who impressed with a late surge of 44 runs off 26 balls in the third ODI. His all-round capabilities, combined with Australia’s depth of talent in that department, could see him feature in a flexible team setup heading into major tournaments.

Australia will need to make tough decisions soon, especially as players like Adam Zampa and Travis Head are expected to return for the final two ODIs against England.

Babar Azam will continue as captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, despite recent speculation about a possible leadership change. After a historic Test series loss to Bangladesh, reports emerged suggesting a potential shakeup in the team’s leadership. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed Babar’s captaincy will remain intact until the mega event.

The confirmation came after a meeting in Lahore on September 23, where senior players and coaching staff discussed the team’s future plans. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who attended via video call, addressed the concerns raised by the players, including issues surrounding team security and communication with the board. Naqvi reassured the players that no changes in captaincy are planned and urged them to focus on their performance.

In response to concerns about communication with top officials, the PCB has agreed to establish a two-member independent committee to improve dialogue between the players, management, and board.